Can-opener



(No Model.)

J. E. YOUNGBLOOD.

CAN OPENER. No, 592,945. Patented'Nov 2, 1897.

WITNESSES Y INVENTOR J79. JJWEYM n01, @rgk M g A tlarney UNITED STATES JOHN E. YOUNGBLOOD, OF UNION CITY, WASHINGTON.

CAN-OPEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 592,945, dated November 2, 1897.

Application filed March 24, 1897.

.Zb all whom, it may concern;

Be it known that I, JOHN E. YOUNGBLOOD, of Union City, in the county of Mason and State of Washington, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Gan-Openers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to can-openers; and the object in view is to provide a can-opening device in the form of a pair of shears, the handles of which are disposed in such a manner as to admit of the cutting of one end of the can without rendering the fingers of the operator liable to injury by coming in contact with the can.

The invention also contemplates the use in connection with one of the handles of the shears of apuncturing device for forming the initial opening in the can-top.

The invention consists in a can-opener embodyin g the novel features and details of construction hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawing, and incorporated in the claims.

The accompanying drawing represents a perspective view of a can-opener constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, the improved canopener will be seen to consist of a pair of shears, the operation of which is of course similar to an ordinary pair of shears, but the handles and blades of which are relatively disposed in such a manner as to admit of the cutting operation without endangering the fingers or hands of the operator.

1 and 2 designate the handles of the shears, which are provided in the usual manner with the finger-loops 3. One of said loops, preferably that one which occupies the lowermost position, is provided with a depending triangular-shaped punch or cutter 4, the point or vertex of which is adapted to be inserted through the material of the can for the purpose of effecting an initial entrance thereto, thus admitting of the subsequent introduction of one of the pointedblades of the shears.

The blades of the shears (indicated at 5 and Serial No. 6 28,998. (No model.)

6) are rigidly connected to the handles 1 and 2, respectively, and are preferably formed integral therewith, the parts being connected by the common pivot 7. The points of the blades 5 and 6 are beveled or pointed, as at 8, for the introduction of one of the pointed blades through the can-top and into the opening formed by the punch or cutter 4. The handle 1 and its blade 6 together describe a subs'tantially compound or ogeeshape curve. The other handle 2 has its blade 5 set almost at right angles to it, so that the handle 2 of the lower blade 5 is carried above the handle 1 of the upper blade 6. In this manner the finger-loops 3,are located suificiently above the plane in which the blades 5 and 6 operate to insure against the fingers or hands of the operatorcoming in contact with the can and becoming injured or cut thereby. The cutter or punch 4 in addition to its normal function above described also constitutes avertical guard in that it serves to limit the downward movement of the handles, and thus prevents the fingers of the operator coming in contact with the can in a manner that will be readily understood.

In operation an initial opening is formed in the top of the can by means of the punch or cutter 4. The lower blade 5 is inserted through said opening and a diametrical incision is made extending across the top of the can. The shears are then removed and a second diagonal cut is made, the same extending across the top of the can and being at substantially right angles to the first cut or incision. The parts of the top included between the incisions thus made may be bent upward and back to expose the contents of the can, or, if desired, the segments of the top may be cut adjacent to the edges of the can and removed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A canopener consisting of a pair of shears, the blades of which are disposed at such an angle to the handles that the handles in operation will be located above the plane in which the blades operate, one ofthe handles being provided with a depending pointed punch or cutter which also forms a finger- In testimony whereof I have signed this guard, substantially as described. specification in the presence of two subscrib- 2. A can-opener, consisting of a pair of ing witnesses.

shears, one of the handles of which is pro- JOHN E. YOUNGBLOOD.

vided with a depending pointed punch or cut- Vitnesses:

ter which also forms a finger-guard, suhstan- MYRON EELLs,

tially as described. HENRY ALLEN. 

